1st Gen R53 Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: Power steering pump

Could also be the low speed fan.

 

The pump is located straight down from the power steering reservoir, it is bolted to the subframe under the car. Another way of finding it is to look under the car behind the oil pan you will see a fan (power steering fan) the fan blows onto the pump.

 

Photos of the location and fuse. http://www.motoringalliance.com/library/1st-generation-mini-cooper-how-to-3/1st-generation-mini-power-steering-troubleshooting-11/

There is a circuit board in the pump that can short causing an always-on condition. A customer fabricated a fused cut-off switch to turn his on before driving, but not the best solution given the known risk of PS pump fires.




Here's how to access the pump for replacement. [ame=http://www.lonestarminiclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=449]Front Swaybar Install - Lone Star Mini Club Forums[/ame]

 

It's under the car bolted to the sub frame. Unplug the big plug on top.

Chad
Detroit Tuned

 

I'm in the same boat my is a slow drain over a day I didn't hear any buzz but smelt some electrical smoked from the PSP area so it's getting swapped along with the fan and alternator.